BOSTON, 20th Nov 2015: Locals rally against Governor Baker’s position on Syrian refugees outside the Massachusetts State House on the Boston Common. (Photo by: Nikita Sampath/BUNS)

The atmosphere was fervent in one corner of the Boston Common Friday evening. Hundreds gathered outside the Massachusetts State House protesting Governor Baker’s opposition to allow Syrian refugees into the state.

“I think Gov. Baker has made a serious error here. We’re a fairly progressive state and willing to welcome anyone who wants to come here,” says Matthew Dill of Charlestown.

People on the Common held up handmade signs with messages like, “My grandma was a refugee” and “Don’t give into racist fear, refugees are welcome here.”

BOSTON, 20th Nov 2015: Locals rally against Governor Baker’s position on Syrian refugees outside the Massachusetts State House on the Boston Common Friday. (Photo by: Nikita Sampath/BUNS)

The Obama administration has pledged to take in 10,000 of the millions fleeing Syria over the next year. Although the decision about the intake is made at the federal level, last Monday, Baker announced that he needed to learn a lot more about the federal vetting process before allowing the Syrians refugees to come in to the state.

“The refugee process is incredibly intensive and takes 18 to 24 months. We have one of the most strict processes of vetting refugees in the world, and Governor Baker saying what he did is just fear-mongering. I think that it’s meant to put fear in to the people who live here. It’s not who we are, that doesn’t represent us,” said Laura Ciccone of Roxbury.

BOSTON, 20th Nov 2015: Matthew Dill (L) and Laura Ciccone (R) at a rally against Governor Baker’s position on Syrian refugees outside the Massachusetts State House on the Boston Common Friday. (Photo by: Nikita Sampath/BUNS)